Coarse Aggregate Effects on Elastic Moduli of Concrete

The results of a laboratory testing program carried out to investigate the effect of coarse aggregate types on the elastic modulus of typical pavement concretes are presented. The elastic modulus was determined in both flexure and compression using static and dynamic means. Three different mixes, made using three different aggregates, were compared. The water-cement ratio was kept at 0.53 throughout the test program. The results showed that within the tested range, the aggregate type significantly affected the studied properties of concrete. Calera aggregate (a dense limestone) with its rough-textured surface and angular shape produced a concrete with higher strength and stiffness than those of concretes made with Brooksville aggregate (a porous limestone) and river gravel. In addition, the measured dynamic modulus in compression was significantly different from that in flexure. Also, in flexure, the dynamic modulus was higher than the static modulus by an average of 23 percent, whereas in compression, the dynamic modulus appeared to be in the same range as the static modulus. The change in frequency from 1 to 7 Hz did not have a significant influence on the dynamic modulus.